Melania Trump faces backlash after announcing initiative against cyberbullying: 'Be Best starts with the top'

Melania Trump made a rare, and much anticipated appearance in front of the press on Monday afternoon, when she took to the White House Rose Garden to announce her official initiative as first lady.

While President Trump‘s wife has already been involved in programs across the country tailored to improving the well-being of children in the United States, she has now officially launched the “Be Best” initiative. Nearly 16 months into her role as FLOTUS, it’s an announcement that people have been anxious to hear. And although there’s much to celebrate with it, Melania is already facing some criticism.

The initiative encourages adults to be educators for the country’s youth, so that the next generation can “be best in their individual paths in life,” she announced before the press, explaining that her three main pillars are well-being, social media use, and opioid abuse. After traveling the nation and coming into contact with a number of issues plaguing children, it’s no surprise that the first lady’s initiative is multi-pronged. However, people seem to be surprised that her platform is so vehemently against cyberbullying — something for which her own husband has been called out as a main offender.

“We can and should teach children the importance of social and self awareness, positive relationship skills and responsible decision making,” Melania said. “Once a child understands these vital skills, they will be able communicate openly with one another and instill positive feelings of mutual respect, compassion, and self esteem.”

In response, viewers commented on the feed writing, “Teach your husband first about right and wrong!” and “Her husband is a bully!!!” And the criticism has spread right back to where her platform begins — social media.

Social media is too often used in negative ways and that it is important for children to learn positive online behaviors at a young age. – Melania Trump

Now that @FLOTUS has started her "Be Best" program to promote kindness and to counter cyber bullying, every now and then I will provide examples of what is not a Be Best tweet. First example is below. https://t.co/qsHbxnutPu

Some are even writing about how poorly they feel for Melania, who is being labeled as a hypocrite because of her husband’s behavior. However, with an approval rating higher than the president himself, people can only hope that the first lady will actually make positive change with her new initiative.

Good for Melania Trump – she's done more "good" in one afternoon than her spouse has done in 16 months. Plus, she's a lot more popular (57% approve), something I'm sure he hates ; )